SERVICE OF THANKSGIVING

Transcription

1 SERVICE OF THANKSGIVING on the Second Anniversary of South Africa s Freedom Day Saturday 27 April AT AM St Martin-in-the-Fields Trafalgar Square, London Service conducted by the Vicar, the Reverend Nicholas Holtam Master of the Music: Paul Stubbings Organist: John Hosking Choir and Choral Scholars of St Martin-in the-fields The Mohobelo Choir

2 Please stand at the entry o f the choir. Introit Lift mine eyes, O lift mine eyes. Words from Psalm 121 set to music by Felix Mendelssohn HYMN 1 Now thank we all our God, With heart and hands and voices, Who wondrous things hath done, In whom his world rejoices; Who from our mother's arms Hath blessed us on our way With countless gifts of love, And still is ours today. 2 O may this bounteous God Through all our life be near us, With ever joyful hearts And blessed peace to cheer us; And keep us in his grace, And guide us when perplexed, And free us from all ills In this world and the next. Welcome 3 All praise and thanks to God The Father now be given, The Son, and him who reigns With them in highest heaven, The One eternal God, Whom earth and heaven adore; For thus it was, is now, And shall be evermore. Amen. (Martin Rinkart Tr Catherine Winkworth ) All sit Readings Jawaharlal Nehru, Delhi, 1947: Speech to the nation on the eve of independence read by Lord Richard Attenborough "It is a fateful moment for us in India, for all Asia, and for the world. A new star rises, the star of freedom in the East, a new hope comes into being, a vision long cherished materialises. We rejoice in that freedom, even though clouds surround us, and many of our people are sorrowstricken and difficult problems encompass us. But freedom brings responsibilities and burdens and we have to face them in the spirit of a free and disciplined people. The future beckons to us. Whither do we go and what shall be our endeavour? To bring freedom and opportunity to the common man, to the peasants and workers of India; to fight and end poverty and ignorance; to build up a prosperous, democratic and progressive nation, and to increase social, economic and political institutions which will ensure justice and fullness of life to every man and woman. We have hard work ahead. There is no resting for any one of us until we redeem our pledge in full. We are citizens of a great country, on the verge of bold advance, and we have to live up to that high standard. All of us, to whatever religion we may belong, are equally the children of India, with equal rights, privileges and obligations."

3 Martin Luther King 1967: "Where do we go from here?" read by Craig Norman During part of this speech Martin Luther tells the story of Jesus and Nicodemus. King ends the story by telling us that Jesus said to Nicodemus "You must be bom again". "...in other words, your whole structure must be changed. What I am saying to you today is that we must go from this convention and say "America you must be bom again!" We have a task, and let us go out with a "divine dissatisfaction". Let us be dissatisfied until the tragic walls that separate the outer city of wealth and comfort and the inner city of poverty and despair shall be crushed by the battering rams of the forces of justice. Let us be dissatisfied until those that live on the outskirts of hope are brought into the metropolis of daily security. Let us be dissatisfied until slums are cast into the junk heaps of history and every family is living in a decent sanitary home. Let us be dissatisfied until the dark yesterdays of segregated schools will be transformed into bright tomorrows of quality, integrated education. Let us be dissatisfied until integration is not seen as a problem but an opportunity to participate in the beauty of diversity. Let us be dissatisfied until that day when the lion and the lamb shall lie down together, and every man will sit under his own vine and fig tree, and none shall be afraid. Let us be dissatisfied. And we will recognise that out of one blood God made allto dwell upon the face of the earth. Let affirmation be our ringing cry. It will give us the courage to face the uncertainties of the future. It will give our tired feet new strength as we continue our forward stride toward the new city of freedom. Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." President Nelson Mandela, from his book "Long Walk to Freedom" read by His Excellency the High Commissioner fo r Botswana, Mr Alfred Dube "When I walked out of prision, that was my mission, to liberate the oppressed and the oppressor both. Some say that has now been achieved. But I know that is not the case. The truth is that we are not yet free; we have merely achieved the freedom to be free, the right not to be oppressed. We have not taken the final step of our journey, but the first step on a longer and even more difficult road. For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others. The true test of our devotion to freedom is just beginning. I have walked that long road to freedom. I have tried not to falter; I have made missteps along the way. But I have discovered the secret that after climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb. I have taken a moment here to rest... but I can rest only a moment for with freedom comes responsibilities, and I dare not linger, for my long walk is not yet ended." Anthem: Two Stones Geoff Poole The Address given by His Excellency the High Commissioner for South Africa Mr Mendi Msimang HYMN 1 Children of the heavenly King, As ye journey sweetly sing; Sing your Saviour's worthy praise, Glorious in his works and ways.

4 2 We are travelling home to God, In the way the parents trod; They are happy now, and we Soon their happiness shall see. 3 Fear not, people; joyful stand On the borders of your land: Jesus Christ your Father's Son, Bids you undismayed go on. 4 Lift your eyes ye sons of light, Sion's city is in sight; There our endless home shall be, There our Lord in glory see. (John Cennick ) Please sit We can also draw strength from the Scriptures and the experience of God's people in rebuilding after destruction and in seeking reconciliation and the ways of Truth. Nehemiah 2:17-20 read by Anna GregoroM ski Bible Readings Then I said to them, "You see the trouble we are in, how Jerusalem lies in ruins with its gates burned. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, so that we may no longer suffer disgrace. I told them that the hand of my God had been gracious upon me, and also the words that the king had spoken to me. Then they said, "Let us start building!" So they committed themselves to the common good. But when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official, and Geshem the Arab heard of it, they mocked and ridiculed us, saying, "What is this that you are doing? Are you rebelling against the king?" Then I replied to them, "The God of heaven is the one who will give us success, and we his servants are going to start building." 2 Corinthians 5:18-21 read by the Revd Jennifer Sweet All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given the ministry of reconciliation; that is in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us. So we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us; we entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. John 8:31-36 read by Mr K Srinivasan, Commonwealth Deputy Secretary General Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, "If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free. They answered him, "We are descendants of Abraham and have never been slaves to anyone. What do you mean by saying, 'You will be made free?' Jesus answered them, "Very truly, I tell you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not have a permanent place in the household; the son has a place there forever. So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed."

5 Please standfor The Peace From the chancel step the Revd Jennifer Sweet and the Revd Lawrence Mathebula say: God bless Africa Guard her children Guide her rulers And give her peace for Jesus Christ's sake. (Xhosa) (Afrikaans) (Zulu) (English) A ll say: Uxolo luka Thixo Malubenani. Gaan Vrede. Ukuthula kuka Nkulunkulu makubenani. Peace be with you. And also with you. All then exchange greetings and a sign of peace. Following South African tradition the congregation are encouraged to exchange greetings and peace with neighbours and with people in other parts o f the church. During this time South African music will be performed by THE MOHOBELO CHOIR. HYMN 1 Thy kingdom come! on bended knee The passing ages pray; And faithful souls have yearned to see On earth that kingdom's day. 2 But the slow watches of the night Not less to God belong; And for the everlasting right The silent stars are strong. 3 And lo, already on the hills The flags of dawn appear; Gird up your loins, ye prophet souls, Proclaim the day is near. 4 The day in whose clear-shining light All wrong shall stand revealed, When justice shall be throned in might, And every hurt be healed. 5 When knowledge, hand in hand with peace, Shall walk the earth abroad: The day of perfect righteousness, The promised day of God. (Frederick Hosmer )

6 All kneel or sit fo r The Prayers led by the Revd Lawrence Mathebula Our Father which art in heaven hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, in earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, For ever and ever. Amen. The Choir sings: Goodness is stronger than evil; Love is stronger than hate; Light is stronger than darkness; Life is stronger than death; Victory is ours through Him who loves us. (Words by Archbishop Desmond Tutu set to music by Paul Stubbings) The Blessing: The Vicar All Standfor the New National Anthem of South Africa Nkosi, Sikelel' iafrika Maluphankanyisw' uphondo Iwayo; Yizwa imithandazo yethu Nkosi sikelela Thina lusapho Iwayo. (Xhosa and Zulu) Morena Boloka setjhaba saheso O fedise dintwa le matshwenyeho O se boloke, O se boloke setjhaba sa heso Setjhaba sa South Africa Uit die blou van onse hemel Uit die diepte van ons see Oor die ewige gebergtes Waar die kranse antwoord gee (Sotho) (Afrikaans) Sounds the call to come together And united we shall stand Let us live and strive for freedom In South Africa our land. All Go in peace to love and serve the Lord In the name of Christ. Amen. The Dismissal Music from THE MOHOBELO CHOIR

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